Antelope Valley Nurses Plan One-Day Strike on November 19 for Fair Contract

Nurses Plan Strike Over Labor Dispute at Antelope Valley Medical Center

Registered nurses at Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) in Lancaster, California, have announced a one-day strike set for November 19. This action, organized by the California Nurses Association/National Nurses United (CNA/NNU), follows allegations of unfair labor practices, including management's refusal to engage in fair negotiations and retaliatory actions against nurses. The nurses, having overwhelmingly voted for strike authorization in September, intend to provide the hospital with a 10-day notice to facilitate alternative patient care arrangements.

The contract negotiations, which began in March, have reportedly been marred by delays and a lack of constructive responses from management on critical issues like staffing and retention. The nurses' contract expired on May 25, 2024.

Linda Lummus, RN, a nurse educator at AVMC, emphasized, “We want the hospital to respect our rights, our voice, and our union. We want safe staffing. We want management to come to the bargaining table and bargain in good faith about issues that affect patient care.”

Details of the Strike:

Who: Registered nurses at Antelope Valley Medical Center

What: One-day ULP strike for a fair contract

When: Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7 a.m. to Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6:59 a.m.

Where: Antelope Valley Medical Center, 1600 W. Ave. J, Lancaster, on the sidewalk

Brandi Wechsberg, RN, from the post-anesthesia care unit, highlighted the impact of management's actions on nurse recruitment and retention, stating, “We are striking because we want the hospital to stop the harassment of nurses who participate in union activities. Management’s lack of response to our bargaining proposals and retaliation is a hindrance to our ability to recruit and retain nurses.”

Chronic short-staffing and high turnover rates are additional concerns. AVMC's nurse turnover rate stands at 28%, significantly above the national average of 18.4%. Nurses have proposed strategies to enhance recruitment and retention, maintain safe staffing levels, and minimize standby and on-call shifts.

Nurses have been vocal about their concerns, speaking at board meetings and organizing events such as an informational picket in June and a rally for patient safety in January.

The CNA/NNU represents over 900 nurses at Antelope Valley Hospital, advocating for their rights within the healthcare system.

The California Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest and fastest-growing union and professional association of registered nurses in the nation, with more than 100,000 members in over 200 facilities across California and nearly 225,000 RNs nationwide.